Muscleman 'Big' Dave Gauder has returned his successful fitness programme to Staffordshire, where he is training offenders to lead healthier and safer lives.
Dave's Slam H (Start Low, AiM High) programme features five weekly sessions of physical training at a gym in Stafford. It has already been a hit in Stoke-on-Trent, as well as Kings Norton and Stourbridge in the West Midlands.
Dave also includes tips on how to stay positive mentally, develop personal confidence and focus on healthy living.
Big Dave says that the course participants are now looking at nutrition information on food packages. He is amazed that the people on probation have changed their lives in such a short space of time.
The course started on the 11th June. It is funded by Stafford County Council Adult & Community Learning Services, through a partnership between Support Staffordshire Voluntary Services and SWMPT. Staffordshire's Education, Training and Employment Officer, Chris Stevens has been instrumental in liaising and setting up the course with Sandra Grosvenor, Learning & Development Officer for Stafford and District Volunteer Services.
The course took over a year to organise, so we were all really pleased when it started.
A Presentation, was given by Big Dave, on the 20th March at Cannock and Stafford, Voluntary Services and Probation Offices and the course began on the 11th June.
It was run, as an accredited programme, with a qualification in Improving Fitness, Open College Network , at entry Level 3. It is hoped that, a further progression course, will follow on from this. It is also hoped that those on this course will notice how their health and fitness has improved and give them an incentive to move on to higher levels of training.
The teaching of the course was supported by Tarnia Hewston, from Stafford Integrated Offender Management, who along with, Pete Reynolds from Stafford Police and Darren Parton, from One Recovery, increased the skills of the group every week. Sandra Grosvenor, accredited the OCN, programme, from the Stafford District Voluntary Services and also facilitated the costs of the course.
Dave's motivational approach to fitness , encouraged the participant's, who said they all enjoyed the sessions. Because it was held every Wednesday for Five weeks, the other five sessions, which were required to make up the required learning hours, they were given, gym passes, which they could use, at a time, to fit in with their, other commitments.
Paula, aged 28, is on probation in Stafford. She used to hate coming to the gym but now she goes twice a week and thinks it is great: "I'm more motivated and I've changed my diet," she says.
Paula was a bit scared at first and apprehension was felt at the start but she has gradually got better. "I feel better about myself and have made friends". Before the course, Paula would stay in bed until 10am with no breakfast in her diet, but now she is eating properly and she says that the course has helped with her diet and made it much healthier.
Pete, aged 38 from Stafford, is also on probation. He says that he has gained a focus through Slam H and has been swimming a mile a week since starting the course.
After being on heroin for around 22 years, Pete is glad that he can finally turn his life around and he has been clean from illegal substances for over three and a half years.
Pete feels that his energy levels are rising due to the course and his diet has changed to become protein-rich, and a lot healthier. "Dave is very informative and encouraging," he says. He also feels that the course is inspirational.
A police officer from the IOM unit attends too, which has helped to break down barriers with the service users.
We hope this course will be repeated again very soon. If funding can be obtained in the future the course will be run, as a roll on, roll off, programme. Dave's attendance at each session, would also be a huge bonus, as he definitely inspired the group, emphasising the importance of positive thinking.
Dave has twenty five uncontested World Records, it also shows everyone that , anything and everything, is achievable.
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